How confident are you that sexual discrimination doesn’t happen in your company?
You may be surprised to know that sexual discrimination for women is still a problem. This was highlighted in an ITV Tonight programme recently:
https://www.itv.com/news/2014-11-13/tonight-a-fair-deal-for-women/
As a progressive business owner, you want to be confident that all of your employees feel safe at work. Ensuring there is a culture of trust means your people know they can raise concerns and be listened to – and action is taken if appropriate.
Having robust policies and procedures in place detailing expectations are a good starting point. Augment this with training – to make sure all of your team understand what discrimination is, and how to avoid it.
Just because you have this in place doesn’t mean discrimination isn’t going to happen…
- Make sure you keep personal remarks to yourself. If other members of your team see or hear you making off the cuff comments they will see it as a green light to do the same.
- Stop anybody you overhear making inappropriate remarks – being seen to clamp down quickly sends a clear message to everyone you won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour.
- Take any allegation seriously. Always make sure it is accurately documented and properly investigated. If you cannot find somebody within the organisation who can remain neutral, you need to get outside help.
- Do not make anyone who has made an allegation feel uncomfortable – they should not have to jump through unnecessary hoops to be heard, or made to feel they are in the wrong.
- Ensure everyone is treated equally. You cannot have favourites, and neither can anyone else in your team.
Above all, don’t ignore it.
It is better to investigate and be sure, than leave something unchecked and end up with a tribunal claim.
If you would like help with a discrimination issue in your business, please contact us on 01256 328 428.